Inter predicted lineup vs Napoli - Serie A

Inter have the chance to close a strikingly wide gap to Napoli when they host Serie A's early pacesetters on Sunday evening.

Simone Inzaghi's Nerazzurri are only two points off the tally Antonio Conte's Inter accrued after 12 games in their title winning campaign last season, but trail Napoli by as many as seven this term already.

Here's the XI Inzaghi has little choice in selecting given the injuries spread around the squad.

Inter predicted lineup vs Napoli - Serie A

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Samir Handanovic (GK) - Despite conceding more than a goal per game, Handanovic is recording his highest save percentage (79%) since his time at Serie B's Rimini in 2006/07.

Milan Skriniar (CB) - The only member of Inter's first-choice defensive triumvirate that has escaped injury in the past fortnight.

Andrea Ranocchia (CB) - A wily veteran who joined Inter more than a decade ago was once deemed surplus to requirements and loaned to Hull City by the manager of his upcoming opponents, Luciano Spalletti.

Federico Dimarco (CB) - The boyhood Inter fan used to cheer on the side he now plays for from San Siro's Curva.

2. Midfielders & wingbacks

Denzel Dumfries (RWB) - The Netherlands international has made more starts for his country (six) than Inter (five) so far this campaign, but may start this one as Matteo Darmian is an injury doubt.

Nicolo Barella (CM) - Inter's midfield dynamo seems intent on pushing through the pain barrier to continue to start every game for his club this term.

Marcelo Brozovic (CM) - Spalletti can take credit for reworking Inter's integral number 77 into the deep-lying playmaker he is today - incidentally first testing Brozovic in this new role against Napoli of all teams.

Hakan Calhanoglu (CM) - Lacking a history with Napoli that inspired him so vehemently against Milan in the recent Derby della Madonnina, Calhanoglu may be able to invent a Michael Jordan-esque vendetta against Sunday's opponents given he actually had little cause for antagonism with the Rossoneri.

Ivan Perisic (LWB) - Inter's Croatia international has only failed to score against Atalanta in more Serie A matches than his nine goalless games against Napoli.

3. Forwards

Joaquin Correa (ST) - With Edin Dzeko likely sidelined, Correa may well start against the club that has beaten his side on all six of his appearances when facing them.

Lautaro Martinez (ST) - After an early glut of five goals in his first half-dozen games of the season, Lautaro has failed to find the net in the subsequent five Serie A outings.